Top 20 Funk & Soul Grooves to listen to for beginners building a rock-solid internal metronome
Hey everyone, and welcome back to the blog! Let's talk about something that separates the good musicians from the great ones: a rock-solid sense of time. We've all been there. You're jamming along, feeling the music, but something is just a little... off. You rush the fast parts, drag the slow parts, and can't quite lock in with the rest of the band. It's frustrating, and it feels like a mysterious, unattainable skill.
The secret isn't just about practicing with a metronome until you're sick of the incessant "click-clack." While that's a crucial tool, the real goal is to internalize that click. You need to build your own internal metronome—an unshakeable, internal clock that guides your every note. So, how do you build it? You listen. But not just passively. You need to actively listen to the masters of the groove, the architects of feel, the titans of time.
That's where the golden era of Funk and Soul comes in. This music is built on a foundation of impeccable rhythm. It's all about the "pocket"—that delicious, perfect space where the bass and drums lock together to create a feeling that's impossible not to move to. By immersing yourself in these grooves, you'll start to absorb their DNA. You'll learn what a perfect beat feels like in your bones. So, grab your best headphones, turn up the volume, and let's dive into 20 essential Funk and Soul grooves that will help you build a world-class internal metronome.
1. James Brown - "Cold Sweat"
We have to start with the Godfather of Soul. "Cold Sweat" is arguably the track where funk, as we know it, was born. The revolutionary element here is the emphasis on "the one"—the first beat of the measure. The entire band hits that downbeat together with a force that feels like it could move mountains. Drummer Clyde Stubblefield lays down a beat that's deceptively complex but fundamentally anchored to that powerful first beat.
Listen to how every instrument—the bass, the drums, the horns, even Brown's grunts—serves the rhythm. The bassline is a simple, repetitive figure, but it perfectly interlocks with the kick drum. This track teaches you the power of a strong downbeat and how to build an entire universe of groove around it.
How to Practice with It: Tap your foot firmly on every beat (1-2-3-4), but try to give an extra mental (or physical) emphasis to beat 1. Notice how that "one" feels like home base, the point of return for all the syncopated phrases in between.
2. The Meters - "Cissy Strut"
If James Brown is about power and force, The Meters are about space and subtlety. Hailing from New Orleans, their brand of funk is looser, greasier, and built on the elegant interplay between the instruments. "Cissy Strut" is their most iconic track and a masterclass in making simple parts sound incredibly sophisticated.
Listen to how drummer Zigaboo Modeliste and bassist George Porter Jr. create a conversation. The beat isn't just a static pattern; it breathes. The hi-hats are light and crisp, the bassline dances around the kick drum, and the guitar and organ add their own syncopated stabs. This song teaches you that the notes you don't play are just as important as the ones you do.
How to Practice with It: Close your eyes and try to isolate each instrument in your head. First, just follow the bassline. Then, restart and follow only the kick drum. Then, the hi-hat. You'll start to hear how they all fit together like a perfect puzzle.
3. Stevie Wonder - "Sir Duke"
This track is a pure explosion of musical joy, and its rhythmic foundation is as intricate as it is infectious. While the horn melody is what everyone sings, the groove underneath is a lesson in precision and layering. The rhythm section lays down a deceptively complex shuffle feel that just feels incredible.
Pay close attention to the way the bassline propels the song forward. It’s a workout in 16th-note precision, bubbling with energy but never losing its anchor to the beat. This track is perfect for internalizing the feel of subdivisions—the smaller beats within the main beat—which is a cornerstone of great timing.
How to Practice with It: Try to clap along to the backbeat (beats 2 and 4) throughout the entire song. It's faster than it seems! Your goal is to stay perfectly in time with the snare drum, even when the complex horn lines and vocals try to distract you.
4. Herbie Hancock - "Chameleon"
Sometimes, the most powerful grooves are the simplest. The opening bassline of "Chameleon" is one of the most iconic in music history, and it’s a testament to the power of repetition and consistency. The entire 15-minute track is built upon this hypnotic, one-bar phrase.
The lesson here is endurance and focus. The groove doesn't change much, which forces you to sink into the time and feel the pulse on a deeper level. It teaches you how to maintain energy and intensity without adding complexity. As a musician and educator, I've seen firsthand how this kind of active listening transforms a student's playing. It's a principle Goh Ling Yong also champions: your ears are your most important tool for developing great time.
How to Practice with It: Put this track on and do something mundane like washing the dishes or folding laundry. The goal is to let the groove seep into your subconscious. Feel the pulse in your body without actively thinking about it.
5. Sly & The Family Stone - "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"
This track features the earth-shattering innovation of bassist Larry Graham: the "slap" technique. He turned the bass guitar into a percussive instrument, and music was never the same. The groove is aggressive, punchy, and incredibly funky.
The key here is the percussive interplay. The slapped bass notes often align with the kick drum, creating a massive low-end impact, while the "popped" higher notes dance around the snare drum. It’s a raw, syncopated groove that forces you to feel the rhythm in a very physical way.
How to Practice with It: Focus on the relationship between the kick drum and the bass. Try tapping your foot to the kick and snapping your fingers to the snare. Can you hear how Larry Graham’s bassline glues them together?
6. Bill Withers - "Use Me"
The groove on "Use Me" is slinky, moody, and absolutely irresistible. The magic is in its simplicity and the deep, deep pocket. The entire song is driven by a simple drum pattern and a prominent clavinet riff that acts as the main rhythmic and harmonic engine.
This is a great track for learning about rhythmic placement. The whole band is playing just a little bit "behind the beat," giving the music a relaxed, heavy feel. It’s not dragging or slow; it’s a deliberate choice that creates a powerful sense of tension and release.
How to Practice with It: Try to hum the clavinet riff while tapping your foot to the beat. Notice how the riff's accents don't always fall directly on the beat, but rather around it. This is the essence of syncopation.
7. Earth, Wind & Fire - "September"
The sonic definition of joy. "September" is a masterclass in arrangement, with layers upon layers of rhythmic activity that all work together in perfect harmony. From the four-on-the-floor kick drum to the syncopated horn stabs and the chugging guitar, every part has its place.
What makes this track so valuable for timing is hearing how a busy arrangement can still have a crystal-clear pulse. Bassist Verdine White and drummer Fred White create an unshakable foundation that allows the rest of the band to add their complex, syncopated parts without the groove ever feeling cluttered or confusing.
How to Practice with It: Listen for the straight 8th-note pattern on the hi-hats. This is your rhythmic anchor. Try to keep that pulse going in your head while you focus on the more complex rhythms of the horns and vocals.
8. Tower of Power - "What Is Hip?"
If you want a Ph.D. in 16th-note funk, this is your final exam. "What Is Hip?" is a relentless, high-energy groove machine. The star of the show is bassist Rocco Prestia, whose signature "fingerstyle funk" involves playing muted, percussive 16th notes that create a constant rhythmic bubble.
This track will push your internal clock to its limits. Drummer David Garibaldi is right there with Prestia, playing a complex, linear pattern that is the definition of funk drumming. Listening to them is like watching two master watchmakers build a perfect timepiece.
How to Practice with It: Don't even try to count it at first. Just feel the relentless forward motion. Tap your fingers lightly and quickly to the 16th-note pulse of the bass and hi-hats. Your goal is to feel the subdivision, not just the main beat.
9. Aretha Franklin - "Rock Steady"
The groove on "Rock Steady" is so good it should be illegal. Powered by the legendary Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums, the feel is infectious. It’s not just a beat; it’s a dance. The bassline, played by the great Chuck Rainey, is a masterpiece of syncopation and melody.
This is the perfect track to understand rhythmic "feel." Purdie isn't playing like a machine; he's playing with human swagger. The hi-hats "bark," the ghost notes on the snare drum create a complex texture, and the whole thing just swings.
How to Practice with It: Focus entirely on the drums. Listen for the ghost notes—the quiet snare hits between the main backbeats. They are the secret ingredient that makes this groove so funky. Try to mimic the rhythm by lightly tapping on a tabletop.
10. Curtis Mayfield - "Move On Up"
This track is an anthem of perseverance, and its driving, uptempo groove is a huge part of its power. The tempo is brisk, which makes rhythmic precision even more important. The congas, drums, and bass all lock into a tight, propulsive pattern that never lets up for the entire song (especially the long album version!).
Practicing with faster tracks like this is crucial. It trains your internal clock to operate at a higher speed while maintaining accuracy and relaxation. The constant 16th-note shaker/hi-hat pattern is the engine that keeps the train on the tracks.
How to Practice with It: Put this on when you go for a run or a brisk walk. Try to sync your steps with the beat. This helps internalize the tempo in a full-body, kinesthetic way.
11. Average White Band - "Pick Up the Pieces"
A Scottish band that laid down one of the funkiest instrumental tracks of all time. "Pick Up the Pieces" is a lesson in tightness. The rhythm section of Alan Gorrie (bass) and Robbie McIntosh (drums) is so locked-in they sound like one person playing two instruments.
The signature of this track is the interplay between the rhythm section and the horn section. The horns play tight, syncopated stabs that act like another percussive element. This teaches you how melody and rhythm can be one and the same.
How to Practice with It: Hum the main horn line. Notice how it’s a rhythm first and a melody second. Try clapping the rhythm of the horn stabs while tapping your foot on the downbeats.
12. Parliament - "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)"
Welcome to the world of P-Funk. This groove is heavy, slow, and impossibly deep. It’s all about a massive, resounding downbeat on "the one" and a heavy backbeat on 2 and 4. The genius of George Clinton and Bootsy Collins was to strip funk down to its bare essentials and make it as powerful as possible.
This track teaches you patience and the power of a simple groove. There's nothing flashy here, just a relentless, hypnotic pulse. It's the kind of groove you feel in your chest.
How to Practice with It: This one is simple. Nod your head. Seriously. Nod your head on beats 1, 2, 3, and 4. Make the downbeat on "1" the strongest. Feel the weight of it.
13. Kool & The Gang - "Jungle Boogie"
Raw, primal, and stripped-down. "Jungle Boogie" is funk at its most elemental. The beat is simple, the bassline is repetitive, and the horn lines are more like rhythmic chants than melodies. This track is all about energy and attitude.
It's a great example of how a few well-placed, simple parts can create a groove that is much greater than the sum of its parts. The space in the track is huge, which makes every note that is played land with more impact.
How to Practice with It: Focus on the cowbell! It plays a simple, consistent pattern that helps anchor the entire track. Try to isolate it and tap along with it.
14. The J.B.'s - "Pass the Peas"
As James Brown's backing band, The J.B.'s were the tightest ensemble on the planet. This instrumental track is a showcase for their incredible interplay. Every single instrument is a rhythm instrument.
Listen to how Fred Wesley's trombone "solo" is just as rhythmic as it is melodic. Listen to the "chank" of the guitar playing tight 16th-note patterns that lock in with the hi-hat. This is the sound of a band breathing as one.
How to Practice with It: This is a great track for "air drumming" or "air bass." Pick an instrument and try to mimic its part and, more importantly, its rhythm.
15. Marvin Gaye - "Got to Give It Up"
Recorded to sound like a live party, this track has a loose, celebratory feel, but underneath it all is an incredibly steady groove. The beat is a simple four-on-the-floor, but it's the layers of percussion (clapping, cowbell, shakers) that create the rich rhythmic tapestry.
This song is a great reminder that even in a "busy" sonic environment, the core pulse must remain solid. It helps you train your ear to find the fundamental beat amidst a lot of other activity.
How to Practice with It: Try to ignore the vocals and chatter. Find the bass drum, which plays a steady "thump-thump-thump-thump" on every beat, and lock your foot into it.
16. Michael Jackson - "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
A masterwork of disco-funk from the King of Pop. The rhythmic engine of this track is astounding. The combination of a rock-solid drum beat, a driving bassline, and layers of intricate percussion (played by Paulinho da Costa) creates a sense of perpetual motion.
This is another great track for understanding subdivisions. The constant 16th-note pulse from the shakers and other percussion instruments provides a rhythmic grid over which the other instruments play. It’s a lesson in precision at its highest level.
How to Practice with It: Listen for the shaker pattern. It’s the fastest, most consistent element in the mix. Try to feel that pulse as the underlying "tick" of the song's clock.
17. Chic - "Good Times"
Bernard Edwards' bassline on "Good Times" is so iconic it’s been sampled countless times (most famously on "Rapper's Delight"). It is the absolute definition of a perfect groove: simple, melodic, incredibly funky, and with a huge amount of space.
This track teaches the ultimate lesson in "less is more." Edwards and drummer Tony Thompson are a rhythm section duo for the ages. Thompson's beat is sparse and clean, leaving plenty of room for the bassline to shine. The groove is all about the feel and the placement of the notes.
How to Practice with It: Hum the bassline. It’s so melodic you can sing it. As you hum, tap your foot on 1-2-3-4. You’ll feel how the bassline syncopates perfectly against the steady pulse.
18. Booker T. & the M.G.'s - "Green Onions"
Let's go back to the roots of soul. "Green Onions" is the epitome of cool. The groove, laid down by bassist Lewis Steinberg and drummer Al Jackson Jr., is deceptively simple but has a feel that has been imitated for decades. It's a slow, simmering 12-bar blues with an undeniable swing.
This is a lesson in feel and subtlety. Al Jackson Jr. was a master of the "behind the beat" feel, making the groove feel relaxed and heavy. It's the musical equivalent of a confident swagger.
How to Practice with It: Snap your fingers on beats 2 and 4. This is the backbeat. Your goal is to make your snaps land at the exact same time as Al Jackson Jr.'s snare drum. Feel the "pull" of his timing.
19. Al Green - "Love and Happiness"
Speaking of Al Jackson Jr., this track showcases his legendary drumming with Hi Rhythm Section. The intro drum fill is one of the most famous in history, but it’s the groove that follows that is truly magical. It’s another example of that "behind the beat" feel, creating a sense of delicious rhythmic tension.
The feel is loose but never sloppy. It's the sound of master musicians who have played together for so long that their timing has merged into a single, cohesive pulse. It teaches you that perfect time isn't always rigid; sometimes, it has a human ebb and flow.
How to Practice with It: Focus on the first beat of each measure. Al Jackson Jr. often plays a distinctive pattern on the toms that signals the start of the phrase. Use that as your anchor point as you follow the groove.
20. Roy Ayers Ubiquity - "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"
Finally, let's slow things way, way down. Keeping solid time on a slow song can be much harder than on a fast one. There’s so much space between the beats that it’s easy to rush or drag. This track is the ultimate test of your internal clock's patience.
The groove is hypnotic, lazy, and warm, like a summer afternoon. The beat is sparse, forcing you to be responsible for feeling the subdivisions in the wide-open spaces between the snare hits.
How to Practice with It: Put the track on and try to count the 16th-note subdivisions out loud: "1-e-and-a-2-e-and-a-3-e-and-a-4-e-and-a." This will keep your internal clock engaged and prevent you from losing the pulse in the slow tempo.
Your Groove, Your Journey
Building a great internal metronome isn't something that happens overnight. It's a skill you develop through consistent, focused practice. And the best kind of practice is the kind you enjoy.
So, make a playlist with these 20 tracks. Listen to them in the car, at the gym, while you work. Let these legendary rhythm sections be your teachers. The more you immerse yourself in these perfect grooves, the more their feel, precision, and pocket will become a part of your own musical DNA. Before you know it, you won't just be playing in time; you'll be the time.
Now it's your turn. What are some of your favorite grooves for practicing your timing? Are there any essential tracks I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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